GreenPatch OK’d for all subsurface utility construction, repair

After a full year of field and lab testing, New York’s electric, gas and steam utility, Con Edison has approved GreenPatch for exclusive daily use.

GreenPatch replaces the conventional petroleum-based cold asphalt patching material (commonly referred to as “cold patch”) used on all subsurface utility construction and repair projects — which ultimately require road and pavement restoration -– throughout New York City and Westchester County.

Con Edison Electric Field Operations Planner Mark Sullivan and Gas Operations Environment, Health & Safety Specialist Andrew Fiore led the pilot study, during which GreenPatch was tested under all conditions and applications both in the field and in the lab.

“After an entire year of use at 300 to 400 bags a month, we concluded that GreenPatch passed all compliance standards as a completely safe product for both the workers and the environment…it performs impressively well in all conditions…(and) it’s also 20 percent more cost-effective than the traditional,” says Sullivan.

Utilities and public works agencies are some of the largest users of cold patch, which is widely used in repairing street cuts for gas and electric work, back filling excavations in pedestrian walkways and creating ramps for steel plates on roadways.

“Con Edison spends millions of dollars in the interest of the public, its employees…and the safety of the environment,” says Fiore. “As a major utility committed to environmental excellence, we always strive to minimize potential impacts, conserve natural resources and reduce the overall amount of waste that we generate…so GreenPatch is great because its ingredients are safer and the product is made from recycled material — right down to the bag that it comes in.”

The final report detailing the pilot study was submitted in late 2009 to Con Edison senior executives, who quickly endorsed the use of GreenPatch around New York City and Westchester County.

GreenPatch was developed in the spring of 2007 by Flushing, N.Y.-based Cold Mix Manufacturing, by CMM President Dario Amicucci and promoted by Vice President of Business Development Glenn Shapiro for commercial, municipal and private use as an eco-safe, biodegradable, high-performance and cost-effective asphalt repair using zero petroleum solvents and eliminating harmful VOCs and carcinogens.

It is currently approved in a growing number of states and European countries as the most trusted eco-safe pavement repair solution for utility cuts and weather-damaged roads. Cold Mix Manufacturing is a current member of the USGBC (United States Green Buildings Council), the NGEC (National Green Energy Council), the APWA (American Public Works Assoc.) and NAPA (National Asphalt Pavement Association).